A 21-year-old Brainerd man wanted for stabbing another man Monday is in custody and faces a charge of attempted murder.
James Cody Whittenton was arrested without incident about 11 p.m. Wednesday in Baxter at a home on Highland Scenic Drive, said Crow Wing County Sheriff's Lt. Dave Larson.
Whittenton is accused of stabbing Anthony Paul Bjerkness, 24, Crosby, on Monday on Thompson Road south of Brainerd following an argument about a purchase of methamphetamine.
On Thursday, Whittenton was charged in Crow Wing County District Court with felony second-degree attempted murder and felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. Whittenton is being held in the Crow Wing County Jail on $500,000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 19.
Bjerkness, who suffered a stab wound to his abdomen, was reported in good condition Thursday at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
James Cody Whittenton
According to the criminal complaint filed against Whittenton:
¥ A witness to the stabbing, Brett Douglas Nelson, told deputies that he and Bjerkness were driving on Southeast 13th Street in Brainerd when they saw Whittenton. Nelson said on April 25 he had given Whittenton $200 to purchase meth, but Whittenton had neither produced the meth nor given the money back.
¥ When Nelson and Bjerkness confronted Whittenton, Bjerkness and Whittenton started arguing. Whittenton produced a knife and threatened to stab Bjerkness.
¥ When the three men saw a squad car in the area, Whittenton told Bjerkness and Nelson to follow him someplace where they could talk. They then drove to Thompson Road.
¥ On Thompson Road, Whittenton stated something to the effect of "guttin'" Bjerkness, Nelson said, and stabbed Bjerkness in the abdomen with a black folding knife. Nelson said Whittenton also said something about getting a gun and finishing off Bjerkness. Whittenton then left the area.
Officers searched for Whittenton Monday and Tuesday. Larson said leads received by the sheriff's department resulted in Whittenton's arrest on Wednesday.
Sheriff Todd Dahl on Thursday commended the work of sheriff's deputies and officers from the Brainerd and Baxter police departments. He said their officers' diligence and perseverance in locating and arresting Whittenton was commendable.
"Communication between law enforcement and the public is vitally important, it certainly was in this case," Dahl said. "It's a good thing to put this person behind bars."
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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